Center for Emotional Health

The fall is a very interesting time – we see the leaves change through beautiful colors (depending on where you live) but know that winter is right around the corner. The changes in the amount of daylight can have a strong emotional impact. It’s very true that as the leaves change, so can our mental and emotional health. The two most common things people experience during that time are Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Autumn Anxiety. According to Psychology Today, more than 10 million Americans report being affected by SAD, and another 10 to 20 percent of the population experience mild symptoms without ever being diagnosed. Seasonal Affective Disorder typically affects four times as many women as men, and is typically diagnosed between ages 18 and 30. Autumn Anxiety and SAD share many of the same symptoms, including fatigue, depression, anxiety, irritability, lethargy, and a general loss of interest in daily activities. What Causes SAD and Autumn Anxiety? Despite the fact that SAD

So, Just How Important is Sleep to my Mental Health? We have all heard the expression “waking up on the wrong side of the bed,” usually when we are not feeling our best in the morning, typically as the result of less than optimal sleep. We know we can feel out of sorts, have lower energy levels, and be more emotionally reactive. The question is- How much does sleep really affect your mental health? As it turns out, quite a bit! Researchers are continuing to study the relationship between sleep and mental health, and how exactly each can influence the other. Current research shows that the relationship is definitely bidirectional. Mental health issues can influence the amount and quality of sleep a person gets, and poor sleep can contribute to worsening symptoms or even the initiation of mental health issues. How can sleep affect mental health? According to the Sleep Foundation (www.sleepfoundation.org), the proper amount of sleep – especially REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, helps the b